Facing the Qiblah in Voluntary and Witr Prayers on a Mount

Question:
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: If a person wants to pray Witr or a voluntary prayer while on a mount, is it necessary for him to face the Qiblah first and then pray, or is that not required?

Answer:
It is not required, according to the correct view. In fact, there is no requirement for this. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray Tahajjud on his mount, and it is not mentioned that he faced the Qiblah when saying the Takbir of Ihram. This opinion was stated regarding the traveler who prays voluntarily while walking on his feet. They said that he should face the Qiblah at the Takbir of Ihram, but there is no evidence for this. It is true that he is like the rider, in that he prays in whatever direction his travel is, yes. And this is part of Allah’s facilitation for His servants, that He combines covering the distance with the prayer of Tahajjud, so he does not miss either this or that, yes.